NASC5 Environmental Biology

Exercise 2 Effect of Human Activities on the Lake Ecosystem

Introduction
The Philippines is rich in freshwater resources with about 80 lakes and 400 rivers.
Laguna de Bay is the largest lake in the country. These lakes and rivers are habitats of
diverse plants and animals, some of which are endemic to the country. These water
resources are important source of livelihood for Filipinos. Fishing villages and farming
communities surround these rivers and lakes. They are also important sources of fish
proteins for the population. In addition, they are also sources of hydroelectric power for
towns and cities and irrigation water for our farms. They also serve as avenues for
transport of people and cargoes in between islands within the country. Likewise, the lakes
are catch basins of eroded sediments carried by rivers from the uplands, organic and
inorganic pollutants and other synthetic materials coming from the factories and houses
along the riverbanks.
With these multiple uses of these freshwater resources, most of our lakes and rivers
are severely polluted and degraded. Their usefulness has been severely affected. The
people whose livelihood is dependent on the lakes are suffering from low fish catch. The
fishes and other aquatic organisms have become carriers of toxic substances that
ultimately find its way to the human diet. Filipinos should be concerned with the present
condition of these water resources. We should learn to conserve and protect them so that
they will continue to provide economic goods and environmental services for the present
and future generations of our country.
This exercise will provide the students information on how human activities affect
Laguna lake ecosystem. It will also enlighten students on ways and strategies by which
negative impacts of human activities could be minimized.
Objectives
At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to:
Describe the interaction of the terrestrial with aquatic ecosystems;
Explain how different economic human activities directly & indirectly affect the LDB
ecosystem, and
Discuss mechanisms by which the lake pollution can be prevented or minimized.
Methodology
The class will visit sites within the municipalities of Los Baos, Victoria and Bay near the
shores of Laguna de Bay. The different sites to be visited will show the student examples
of human activities that directly or indirectly affect the ecosystem. Mechanisms and
strategies by which negative impacts of human activities on the lake ecosystem can be
minimized will also be presented.
Note: Students should always observe proper ethics in asking questions to resource
persons or people of the community to be visited. Students should not openly criticize
the owners of establishments so as not to offend them.
Places to be visited:
A. Backyard Duck Farm in Victoria, Laguna
Victoria, Laguna used to have a thriving duck industry. Nowadays only a few households
keep small duck farms. Observe how ducks are raised.
What resources from the lake is an important component of the ducks diet? Why is it
advantageous for the owner of the duck farm to build it along the lake shore?
Why do the families still keep ducks in their backyard? What are the products derived
from raising the ducks? How much does the family invest in raising the duck farm? How
much is the return of investment?
What are the waste products of the duck farm? How are the waste managed? Provide
possible explanation on the effects of waste water on the lake ecosystem. What organic
compounds will have the most negative impact on the lake?
B.

Septage Treatment Plant (STP), Puypuy, Bay, Laguna

A Filipino-owned company, Envirokonsult Equipment and Services, built and partially

operated the STP in 2013. It is a fully mechanized facility. It has been providing free
services to Bay, Laguna since then. Observe the operations and the kind of wastes
treated by the facility. Note down the effects of this treatment on the water bodies.
Diagram the process of treatment.
What was the appearance of the septage and the water before treatment? After
treatment?
Describe the condition of the solid components after treatment. What will be its use?
Will the practice of treating the septage cost-effective? Why or why not?
C. Municipal Plaza in Brgy Poblacion, Los Baos
The Municipal Plaza in Los Baos is where most local government offices can be found.
Next to the plaza is the public wet market and municipal building. The plaza itself is where
most municipal celebrations take place. At the far end of the plaza, several food
establishments can be located like the once famous Kainan sa Dalampasigan. The local
government also encouraged the establishment of massage areas in the plaza. The port is
where small fishing boat dock and where fishermen cast their lines in the water. A few
years ago, it was also the pickup point of the ferry boats to Manila. Near the plaza, several
swimming resorts are also located. Tourist come and visit Los Baos and the nearby town
of Pansol, Calamba to enjoy the hot and cold natural springs in these resorts.
Go around the municipal plaza area and observe the different activities being done there.
What are the activities being done near the lake shore?
Why do you think the municipal building/office was built near the lake shore? What
advantage would a lakeside municipal building give?
What advantage would a lakeside public wet market give to the municipality?
Several establishments have been built to promote tourism in the area. What are the
effects of tourism to the lake environment? Provide both positive and negative effects.
Enumerate the possible pollutants coming from these different establishments that
possibly may find its way to the lake. Summarize this in a table similar to what is
written below.
D. Molawin Creek
UPLB spearheads a research and extension activity in cleaning the tributaries of Mt.
Makiling. Molawin Creek which seats within the campus maintains a demo-site for this
activity. This cleaning process, called phytoremediation, is done with the use of vascular
plants, such as kangkong and water hyacinth, which are capable of absorbing nutrients,
heavy metals and other substances in their organs.
Trace the flow of water from the Hortorium, SU and Biopark. Describe the basic
environmental conditions in the area(s). What might be the possible changes in the
characteristics (both physical and biological) of the water body brought about by
system? Enumerate the positive and negative impacts.
Using the UPLB Map, trace the flow of the Molawin Creek. Identify different activities done
within and near the creek. Enumerate possible pollutants coming from these activities.
Propose an alternate solution that can be done to clean the tributaries of Mt. Makiling.
Summarize some of your observations in the table given below.
Table 1. Different economic activities observe at and near the localities visited
Localities
Establishments
Activities
Possible pollutants
Victoria
Bay
Los Baos
UPLB
Note: Add more lines and spaces in the table if needed. You need to present all observed
establishments in each locality
Discussion of Results:

 Construct a diagram showing the map of Los Baos, Victoria and Bay, illustrating the
interaction of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (Use arrows to show interactions).
Superimpose in the diagram the economic activities of the human communities
living/dependent of the specific ecosystem.
Discuss the role of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) in regulating the
activities within the lake and its watershed to protect the lake ecosystem (use the
internet to access internet on the LLDA website)

Explain the role of communities in protecting and conserving the resource of the lake.
Enumerate the ways by which you, as a student of NASC5 & as a Filipino can help in
protecting Laguna Lake.
Reminder: Format of written report is similar to the first exercise. References
are necessary in the discussion so cite them correctly. Technical paper should
be submitted 7 school days after the performance of the activity or as specified
by your recitation instructor